Regardless of where you’re from and what your background is, soccer is a shared passion from all over the world. It’s a common language and athletes alike can display powerful acts of compassion and respect for each other.

During the 2002 World Cup, Iranian goalkeeper Ebrahim Merzapour approached Mexican goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez before the tournament to give him flowers and his condolences for the passing of Sanchez’s father who had just died days before the tournament.